What are some methods for getting great drums, other than ripping off other producers

[ckunke002]

Im curious as to what combination of live "one shot" recording combined with sampling breaks combined with drum machines/stock samples/kits that it is my favorite producers use. I feel like Im getting better at making beats, but the one thing I really love in a beat is crazy drums, and using the resources I use (drum sample libraries) I never come up with something like how it is in my favorite beats.


Producers that come to mind for great drums are Nottz, Dilla, Madlib, Kanye sometimes, Black milk, El-P, RZA.

Some examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02w8N-sdYRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMkGcEGW4U4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07Q1yKLMkE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDfgPOXbqK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj3UJkyiKg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm24iy4veJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_1apOLypPI

thanks!

 

[madebyporter]

Im curious as to what combination of live "one shot" recording combined with sampling breaks combined with drum machines/stock samples/kits that it is my favorite producers use. I feel like Im getting better at making beats, but the one thing I really love in a beat is crazy drums, and using the resources I use (drum sample libraries) I never come up with something like how it is in my favorite beats.


Producers that come to mind for great drums are Nottz, Dilla, Madlib, Kanye sometimes, Black milk, El-P, RZA.

Some examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02w8N-sdYRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMkGcEGW4U4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07Q1yKLMkE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDfgPOXbqK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj3UJkyiKg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm24iy4veJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_1apOLypPI

thanks!

Here's some methods I use

Easy: Layering
- Place a snare on one track and another snare or clap or hat or percussion on another track. Record your snare pattern on the former track. Then clone that midi pattern to the latter track. Now you're layering. To give it some more flavor/fullness, delay the cloned track's pattern (move the notes like a 1/10 of a bar ahead or delay the attack in a sampler). You can do the same for kicks, hats, percussions, all that.

It would look like this:
Track 1: _
Track 2: ._

Medium: Sampling breakbeats
- Basically find some old breaks in soul/funk/blues/some other song before 1980's and sample them. The breakbeats are usually the instrumental parts of songs without vocals or melody. Usually just heavy drums. Sample a few drums and then try that layering thing up there. My sampler of choice: Audacity. Opens fast, works fast.

Hard: Recording
- If you don't have the equipment (mic/drums), you will either need musician buddies or money. You may be able to use your phone, but its not recommended unless you're some type of beast. Go find someone who plays drums, and ask them to let you record some of their drumming. Let them go ham, and do some dope stuff. If you need a specific sound, make sure to bring your music so he/she can capture the moment. Here's some mics to record with: http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/drum-microphones/

Let me know if that works for you.

Best,
Porter
http://www.thebeatboxclub.com